It is the center's first year awarding scholarships since its founding in 1984. Each Wisconsin Hmong student received $1,000. The funding came from the proceeds from the group's 2016 and 2017 Hmong National Memorial Day and Labor Day festivals held in Oshkosh annually.

“It is our hope that these well-deserving recipients maintain their current success and use this opportunity to achieve greater accomplishments," said Board President Mee Yang. "Our 10 scholars are among the top of their class, some graduating as valedictorians. They are bright-minded, ambitious and will make an impact wherever their journey takes them."

Also in attendance at the banquet were May Yer Thao, executive director of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce and president of Wisconsin United Coalition Mutual Assistance; Lee Yang, a co-founder of the center; Chou Yee Chang, head of the center's members; Oshkosh Mayor Steve Cummings; Oshkosh Police Chief Dean Smith and Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education President Barb Herzog.